Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Film is an art form with a
language and an aesthetic all its own. Indeed, in CMS 2100 we will approach
film as the public literature and graphic art of our time. Through lectures,
readings, film screenings, and discussions, you will learn how to analyze the
formal and stylistic, aesthetic and ethical elements of cinema. We will study
a range of great movies from international film history; you may not love every film we study, but you will
definitely become a more informed, sophisticated film
viewer. You'll never watch movies the same way again!

Course Format

We will spend approximately the first half of the course studying the formal
techniques and terminology of film art. During the second half, we will
explore how various filmmakers have employed these cinematic techniques to
achieve different historical effects. Note that our reading load will be heaviest during the first
half of the course, becoming considerably lighter during the second half.

You MUST check your CSU email account regularly for important notices and
updates; this is especially important if you are enrolled in an online version
of the course, since we do not regularly meet in person. "I didn't check my
email for a few days so I only just got your message" and "I never check that
account" are not a valid excuses for missing important course updates, and your
grade may suffer as a result.

Always arrive five minutes early to on-campus class lectures, not
only because we will start promptly but also because late arrivals are
extremely disruptive. If you must arrive late, always use the back door to enter the room quietly and then sit quietly on the aisle; do not
step over people to get to a favorite seat, since this blocks the view of the
screen for others. Do not text, eat loud foods, sleep, answer cell phones, operate
computers, check email, work on other projects, talk with
classmates or talk back to the screen loudly, or leave the room for food or
other non-emergencies during class lectures; these are a time for serious
study of our film texts so you should be taking copious notes during each film
to prepare for your quizzes, class discussions, and exams. You may wish to
bring a penlight to classes to help you take notes in the dark. Anyone behaving disruptively during a screening or class will be asked to
leave.

Film Screenings

Please note that the weekly film screenings are mandatory, and this
material will be on exams. If you do not plan to view the films
on DVD or streaming or in the library on your own outside of class, you should drop this course.

You do not need to purchase these films. Most of our assigned films are available
for free via streaming hyperlinks posted on GeorgiaView/D2L (be sure to activate the Widevine Media Optimizer plugin if prompted), and most are also on DVD reserve in the CSU library. Most of our films are also available streaming or on DVD
rental via Netflix or Amazon Instant Video for very reasonable rates. (You can rent films individually or with the $25 Amazon Gift Card available in the bookstore.) Do NOT watch our films via YouTube segments; the poor video
and audio quality makes this is a terrible way to study movies!

We will view additional excerpts from selected films during class lectures,
and this material will be on exams as well. Print out the In-Class Screening
List for the full list of film clips that we'll be seeing in class.

3. Required weekly films (free streaming hyperlinks via GeorgiaView/D2L or available free on DVD reserve in library, plus a few Amazon Instant Video
rentals that you can rent individually or with the $25 Amazon Gift Card available in the bookstore.)

We will cover all chapters of these course materials in their entirety. Course textbooks & most of our films are on free reserve in the
CSU library.

Computer Requirement

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://www.clayton.edu/hub/itpchoice/notebookcomputerpolicy.

Especially for online students, I recommend ear buds or headphones and a
webcam with microphone if your computer does not include them.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers

Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course,
except for one or two dates that will be posted on our syllabus in advance.
Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with
your instructor outside of class. Online assessments will take place in GeorgiaView/D2L, the virtual classroom for the course.

Computer Skill Prerequisites

• Able to use the Windows™ operating
system
• Able to use Microsoft Word™ word
processing
• Able to send and receive e-mail using Outlook™
or Outlook Express™
• Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
• Able to use a Web browser
• Able to use GeorgiaView

Disability Services

Note: If you have added this course during the schedule change
period and/or were not present for the syllabus review/orientation the first day of class,
you are required to meet with me or the TA immediately after class or
during my office hours to review course
requirements and policies.